White matter changes are detected with high frequency by neuroimaging techniques in aged subjects with cerebrovascular risk factors or diseases and in cognitively impaired patients. Their direct role in causing cognitive deterioration has not been established, although their frequency is higher in demented subjects than in normal controls, and they are associated with specific cognitive deficits, particularly those related to impairment of frontal lobe functions. The aim of this paper is to critically review the existing knowledge about the role of white matter lesions in cognitive impairment of vascular origin. After reviewing the scarce evidence and the numerous clues suggesting a possible role of white matter lesions in causing mental decline, proposals are advanced about elements that could be a basis for revised criteria for vascular dementia for clinical trials. Finally, some items requiring future joint investigations in the fields of age-related white matter lesions are identified.
Role of white matter lesions in cognitive impairment of vascular origin / L. Pantoni, D. Leys, F. Fazekas, W.T. Longstreth, D. Inzitari, A. Wallin, M. Filippi, P. Scheltens, T. Erkinjuntti, V. Hachinski. - In: ALZHEIMER DISEASE & ASSOCIATED DISORDERS. - ISSN 0893-0341. - 13:suppl. 3(1999), pp. S49-S54. ((Intervento presentato al 1. convegno International Conference on Development of Drug Treatment for Vascular Dementia tenutosi a Osaka nel 1998.
Role of white matter lesions in cognitive impairment of vascular origin
L. Pantoni
;
1999
Abstract
White matter changes are detected with high frequency by neuroimaging techniques in aged subjects with cerebrovascular risk factors or diseases and in cognitively impaired patients. Their direct role in causing cognitive deterioration has not been established, although their frequency is higher in demented subjects than in normal controls, and they are associated with specific cognitive deficits, particularly those related to impairment of frontal lobe functions. The aim of this paper is to critically review the existing knowledge about the role of white matter lesions in cognitive impairment of vascular origin. After reviewing the scarce evidence and the numerous clues suggesting a possible role of white matter lesions in causing mental decline, proposals are advanced about elements that could be a basis for revised criteria for vascular dementia for clinical trials. Finally, some items requiring future joint investigations in the fields of age-related white matter lesions are identified.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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